Faber vs. Barao: California Kid Won't Be Able to Halt Baron's Hot Steak

Urijah Faber will be Renan Barão victim No. 29.

The bantamweight MMA fighters will face off in the Octagon in UFC 149 on Saturday, July 21. There, Barão will deal Faber his latest loss.

According to Odeen Domingo of the Arizona Republic, Faber isn’t impressed with Barão or his 28-1 record. He said:

"

Barão has a good record and is obviously very talented—but I’ve been fighting at a different level. He’s got this great record, but I’ve fought better guys and beaten better guys than he has. A lot of people seem intimidated by this guy, but I’m not.

"

Sure, Faber has been around longer than Barão.

He began his professional career in 2003 and fought the majority of it in the WEC and UFC. Barão’s first fight came in 2005 and most of his competitors were Brazilians that he annihilated.

Still, his 28-match unbeaten streak speaks for itself. And it isn’t like Barão has had any trouble fitting in since competing in the WEC and UFC. In his five North American fights, he won by submission three times and unanimous decision twice.

His last victory came against Scott Jorgensen who, before Barão defeated him, was considered one of the top bantamweight fighters on the planet. But again, Faber isn’t in awe—to say the least. He also said of Barão going into the fight (via Arizona Republic):

"

He’s got skills and he loves to brawl, but none of that worries me. I’m dragging him into deep water. Like I’ve said, I’m the best he’s ever fought but he’s not the best I’ve fought—and I will prove that to him in the first round of the fight. One round in, he will realize the difference between me and the rest of the guys he’s fought.

"

While Faber is correct in his comparison of the talent of his and Barão’s competitors, he isn’t at the top of his game anymore. The California Kid started his career by going 21-1. Since then, he’s gone just 5-4.

According to ESPN’s MMA Power Rankings, Faber is still the second-best bantamweight fighter on the planet, but expect Barão to adjust that order this weekend.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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